A Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa has sentenced four men to death for the 2001 murder of taxi driver Mr. Olarenwaju Ajayi.
Justice Patience Diri of High Court 2, Onopa, delivered the verdict on Thursday in Suit No. YHC/21C/202, involving the State versus Sunday Essien, Opena Akpabio, Odogha Ebi, and Clifford Michael. The court found the defendants guilty of conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder.
According to court findings, the convicts hired Ajayi—who operated between Yenagoa and Port Harcourt—under the pretext of attending a naval event in Onne, Rivers State. On the day of the incident, Ajayi picked them up at Agudama-Epie in Yenagoa.
While en route, the first defendant asked the driver to stop at Okogbe, pretending he needed to relieve himself. At that point, the group attacked Ajayi. They strangled him with a marine rope and stabbed him to death.
The convicts then disposed of his body and took the vehicle to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where they sold it for ₦450,000.
Reacting to the judgment, Bayelsa State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo (SAN), said the ruling reflected the government’s zero-tolerance stance on crime and its commitment to ensuring justice is served.